Oriini Kaipara Wins Against Machine Politician

New Zealand - Tamaki Makaurau byelection 2025 - The word was that Oriini Kaipara had the win within her grasp as you could barely find anyone who said they'd not be voting for her.

Oriini Kaipara is that rather pleasant, and straightforward TV presenter who used to pop up on the AM Show on TV3. I had previously seen her reading the news, or whatever, but her appearances on the AM Show in the mornings lifted her profile. She came across as genuine, warm and funny. Basically, just the sort of person not suited to parliament.

She stood in the byelection against List MP, Peeni Henare, who had previously held the seat before the Maori Party took it off him in 2023. The byelection had come about as the sitting Maori Party MP died suddenly. So, it was all-on and Labour put everything it had into winning the seat back. They had all the media behind them, it was full-on attack Ms Kaipara.

Even as the results were announced, and coverage followed the next day, all the media could talk about was Peeni Henare, and how he lost. The winner was glossed over. 

This is the latest Radio NZ headline: 

Labour's Peeni Henare concedes Tāmaki Makaurau by-election to Te Pāti Māori rival Oriini Kaipara

It started out as this:

Kaipara keeps Tamaki Makaurau for Te Pati Maori

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/572310/labour-s-peeni-henare-concedes-tamaki-makaurau-by-election-to-te-pati-maori-rival-oriini-kaipara

The bias is obvious, now they lead with Peeni Henare, while it previously read the winner and omitted the loser altogether. 

Basically, NZ media are an absolute disgrace. 

And I say to Oriini Kaipara, go for it, but remember one thing, the knives will be out. I can hear the sharpening going on in the background as I write this. 

Fresh Faces: New Zealand TV News Presenters

In general I don't hold out much hope for the mainstream media free-to-air TV news. However, two people in New Zealand that I can stand to watch are Jenny Suo who reads the news at 10:30pm on TV1, while Oriini Kaipara can often be seen reading the news at 4:30pm over on TV3. 

They don't get everything right, sometimes both mispronounce words. Recently, I heard Ms Kaipara refer to Hanmer Springs as Hamner Springs. That grated a little. Another common mistake presenters make is calling the Cawthron Institute, Cawthorn. Grr. But the two at least try to sound clear, and slow down to say each word. Quite often, these days presenters enunciate just a slurry of flubber, you'd be lucky to know what was being said. They must have their mouths full of marbles while speaking. So, with these two there is hope, we just need both channels to start reporting fact instead of government propaganda.